Paring or Cutting

Question:

I am new to Dermatology coding and need some help. The previous coder told me for CPT 11055 (paring or cutting) that if more than one is removed we bill the codes 11055 and 11056?  My physician removed 4 calluses by cutting and I billed CPT 11055 and 11056. The claim was denied by the carrier as bundled.  How should I have billed this?

Answer:

When the physician removes a benign hyperkeratotic skin lesion such as a corn or callus by either cutting, clipping or paring you report only one code depending on number of lesions removed.  For one lesion you report 11055, for 2-4 lesions you report 11056 and more than four is reported with 11057.  You cannot report any of these codes together as they are bundled under NCCI and you cannot use Modifier 59 to bypass the edit as it not allowed.

*This response is based on the best information available as of 12/03/20.